Brentford defeated dismal Southampton 3-0 in west London as the long unbeaten run for Thomas Frank’s side and Bees dreams of Europe continues.
As for Nathan Jones and Saints, they have lost six of their seven Premier League games in charge and are entrenched at the bottom of the table as visiting fans turned on their manager during another very disappointing performance.
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Ben Mee and Bryan Mbuemo each scored in a three-minute period just before halftime, then Mathias Jensen finished off the Saints late as the Bees cruised to victory.
The win brings them to 33 points for the season, while the Saints remain at 15 points.
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How to watch Brentford vs Southampton live, streaming link and start time
Start: 10 a.m. ET, Saturday
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
GOALL! Game. Place. Match. Mathias Jensen finishes off with a header after another magnificent cross into the box, this time from Rico Henry. Southampton everywhere. Brentford 3-0 up and Jensen’s finishing touch was scoring as he was replaced.
On the other end, Saints comes close twice as Theo Walcott is denied twice and Che Adams is pummeled by David Raya.
A quick free kick catches Santos and Salisu clears the line. About as close to a third as Ivan Toney reacted first.
Much better than Southampton, but they need a goal soon to try and launch a massive comeback.
A good start to the second half for the Saints, as their two new signings at deadline are ready for their debut: can Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana get them back in the game?
GOALL! 2-0 to Brentford. Mbuemo slots at home. The bees are buzzing and they catch the saints on the counter. Two goals in three minutes for the locals. The saints look on in astonishment.
GOALL! Just before half time, Brentford take the lead. Ben Mee boldly heads a brilliant cross from Mbuemo. 1-0 to the Bees.
Not much happens in West London. Saints happy to sit out and Brentford struggling to create chances on the counter.
An even game so far with Saints getting some chances early on and Brentford causing problems with crosses into the box.
Key stories and star players
Last time out, Brentford settled for a frustrating 0-0 draw with Leeds, but before that they managed successive victories over West Ham, Liverpool and Bournemouth with just one goal conceded in three games. Ivan Toney is third in the Premier League with 13 goals, behind only Harry Kane (16) and Erling Haaland (absurd 25). After initially struggling to replace the creativity of Christian Eriksen (4 assists in 11 appearances last season), Thomas Frank’s team is firing once again thanks to Mathias Jensen (4 in 20), Toney (3) and Josh Dasilva ( 2) picking up the slack.
After losing 3-1 to Newcastle over two legs in the League Cup semi-finals, Southampton turned their attention back to the ongoing relegation battle. Having won just one of their last nine Premier League games (1W-1D-7L), the Saints made four first-team signings to strengthen their midfield and attack. They brought some experience (30-year-old midfielder Mislav Orsic from Dinamo Zagreb and 28-year-old striker Paul Onuachu from Genk) along with some youth and potential (a couple of 20-year-olds, Racing Club midfielder Carlos Alcaraz and Rennes winger Kamadeen Selumana).
Brentford team news, injuries, lineup
OUT: Pontus Jansson (thigh), Frank Onyeka (hamstring), Shandon Baptiste (adductor)
Your bees line up to face Southampton 🐝#BrentfordFC | #BRESOU | @BlueJeansNet pic.twitter.com/LibOhTWw4S
—Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 4, 2023
Southampton team news, injuries, lineup
OUT: Valentino Livramento (knee), Kyle Walker-Peters (hamstring), Juan Larios (adductor), Alex McCarthy (ankle)
Loading in London… 🔋
His #SantosFC side to assume #BrentfordFC: pic.twitter.com/5Y4QBNRAWB
– Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 4, 2023
